WHY? Illovo Sugar Malawi Has partnered with the Ministry of Trade.

Illovo Sugar Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the availability of sugar on the local market by partnering with the Ministry of Trade and national security agencies to curb illegal sugar exports to neighbouring countries. This initiative aims to protect domestic consumers from artificial shortages and price instability.

Acting Managing Director Kondwani Msimuko disclosed that the company has discovered that 1-kilogram packets of Illovo Sugar are being smuggled and sold in cross-border markets, particularly in Zambia. In response, Illovo has taken proactive steps to strengthen market controls and distribution channels within Malawi.

“Since September, we have supplied over 141,000 metric tonnes of sugar to the domestic market—an amount sufficient to meet national demand and ensure price stability,” Msimuko stated. He added that during the same period, the company has only exported 8,000 metric tonnes of sugar, a significant decrease from the 100,000 metric tonnes exported five years ago.

While concerns persist, with the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa attributing the current sugar shortage to man-made factors, Illovo Sugar Malawi emphasizes that it is actively working to prioritize Malawian consumers and stabilize the market.

We fully support this initiative as a necessary step to protect Malawi’s economy, ensure fair trade, and make sugar consistently accessible and affordable to local consumers.